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Celebrating Excellent Care

Dennis Chupella has a special place in his heart for Beebe

October 11, 2016

In such a calm, matter-of-fact kind of way, Dennis Chupella told me his story.

"I wasn't sick. I wasn't having any pain. I didn't have any symptoms. All of this came as a complete surprise to me. I was at my doctor's office for some routine testing and the physician's assistant told me that my heart was malfunctioning and I should go to Beebe Healthcare's emergency department. There, I had an EKG and was then referred to Dr. Christopher Genco, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. Over the next several days, I completed a battery of tests and learned there was a problem with the aortic valve in my heart. I was shocked when Dr. Genco told me that I needed open-heart surgery. He said he could do the operation right away or we could wait a little bit. It was a serious problem, but everyone was so professional and kind that they were able to put my mind at ease. I didn't want to sit around worrying for any longer than was absolutely necessary, so I planned on having the surgery within the next couple of days."

Dennis' partner Rob White said, "When we learned that Dennis needed to have open-heart surgery, our friends from Baltimore said, 'Surely you're going to Hopkins.' We told our friends no, Dennis is having his surgery at Beebe, our community hospital. We told our friends how Beebe has grown to meet the needs of our community and has an excellent Cardiac and Vascular program. Beebe's Cardiac Care is top-notch, with some of the best physicians in the country."

"For me, the incredible part was how all of the doctors and physician assistants involved in my care were completely interchangeable with each other," Dennis recalled. "Two days after my surgery, Dr. Genco had to travel out of state, and he called over 10 times to check on me. Every doctor was up to speed on my condition and my care; I thought – this is just phenomenal. A couple of days into my hospital stay a team assembled in my room; there were about seven people. Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, someone from integrative health, dietary and the chaplain; each person introduced themselves and explained their role and their part in the plan for my care. Everyone knew everything about me, and this helped me form bonds of trust with my care team. After surgery, Tim helped me to get up and walk. He taught me how to do things post-op, to protect my incision and promote my healing. Diane the rehab nurse from the hospital has been a part of my continuing care. Home healthcare afterward has also been very thorough and caring."

"We have been involved with Beebe since we moved here some 17 years ago. Rob and I started by volunteering for the Beebe Ball, then we became chairs for the ball, and now we are on the board of ambassadors. We have watched Beebe grow and change over the years, building technical expertise to provide the highest quality of care. As more people have moved into the area, Beebe Healthcare has worked to meet their needs by adding many exceptional physicians and highly qualified healthcare professionals. President and CEO Jeff Fried and his leadership team have done a superb job of recruitment. Beebe Healthcare is a place that talented, young, new doctors want to be because of physicians like Dr. Genco, who uses breakthrough technologies. Dr. Genco used a new technology to close my procedure, with titanium screws, a special screwdriver and glue." Dennis said, "My incision is healing very well with very little scarring."

"Up to this point I was an emergency room person; you go in when you're broken, get fixed up and go home. Now I have great doctors – Beebe doctors. I have also gained an incredible respect for Beebe's nurses, especially in the ICU. The scope of their responsibilities and their flexibility to provide whatever care a patient needs whenever they need it is just incredible. Every person we encountered throughout the entire experience was friendly, thoughtful and competent; and they were so good to Rob while he stayed with me the entire time I was in the hospital. I am happy to close my story by sharing that I have been released by all of my doctors and, nothing personal, docs, but I don't need to see anyone for a while!"

Dennis and Rob have been supporters of Beebe Healthcare for a number of years. They are members of the Beebe Medical Foundation's 1916 Club and the Benjamin and Helen Shaw Society. Their generous gift celebrating Dr. Genco and the Beebe Healthcare team is designated for the expansion of Beebe's Cardiac and Vascular services and the construction of a new Hybrid Operating Room. As a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe continues to depend on the generous support of individuals, corporations, businesses, and private foundations. All gifts, large or small, to Beebe Healthcare, are tax deductible and are channeled through Beebe Medical Foundation. Please consider making a gift today and sharing your amazing stories with our community. To make your personal donation or to learn more about Celebrate Excellent Care, go to www.beebemedicalfoundation.org or contact the Beebe Medical Foundation at 302-644-2900 or write to foundation@beebehealthcare.org.

David Szumski is Beebe Medical Foundation's gift planning officer.

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